And some say that's
OK because the important thing is for the Pistons' youngsters to get lots of
minutes, show improvement and build for the future rather than squeaking into
the playoffs.

"We played well enough to be a .500 team after that
horrendous start, and we didn't lose any of the talent that got us there,"
wrote reader Notanoob. "However, we won't be playing to become a 8th or 7th
seed this season. We'll be playing to develop our young talent-Knight,
Drummond, English etc. If a few of them make unexpected strides in their
development this season, we could sneak into the playoffs (and get ourselves
swept). In any event, I feel like we're a better team than the Wizards and
Raptors. In any event, I don't care a whole lot where they finish.
I care about how our young guys improve. For the most part, I feel like the
talent is there to have a strong team-in the future."

Last season, the Pistons were buried in the standings barely
a month into the season after an awful 4-20 start. But despite that, they
actually made some noise late in the season, pulling within a couple of games
of holding down a playoff berth at one point.

"people need to look at their schedule last year,"
thebrowlives wrote. "THey played most of their tough games early and stunk.
When the competition was less they played .500 ball. People think they were
making progress and imo it was schedule based. Starting off this year with so
many road games they will sink early and those of us that want a high draft
pick will be happy early and watch us win meaningless games later."

Reader allion1 thinks the Pistons' fate will be determined
by what coach Lawrence Frank does with his lineup.

Does Frank give more minutes to the younger players or does
he stick with his veterans?

"IMHO, the Pistons' record this season will be contingent on
whether they go with the status quo or whether they let the young guys get a
ton of playing and development time," allion1 wrote. "In theory, we could roll
with the EXACT same starting lineup we played with last year when we went 21-21
down the stretch: Knight, Stuckey, Prince, Maxiell & Monroe. IF we were to
do this, I would expect Knight to be MUCH better, Monroe to be better, Stuckey
to be somewhat improved and Maxiell and Prince to stay about the same. Add an
extra year of playing in Frank's system and the starting unit SHOULD be capable
of leading us to above a .500 record and possibly an 8th seed. But I'm not sure
that approach makes sense in the long run. Guys don't get better sitting on the
bench. You need to play them for them to develop. And the tradeoff with
increasing development is increasing the number of losses."

"I think this is a fair assessment," Scott Free wrote. "Last
season the Pistons benefitted from some remarkable individual performances but
looked clearly outgunned through most of the games. I have seen very little movement
to address our lack of fire-power at the wings OR our inconsistant play. While
we've added some interior defenders, I doubt Drummond or Slava could have
enough impact to change many games. (Not to mention, our most solid backup
players all play the same position, behind perennial minute muncher Tayshaun
Prince!) Simultaneously, all but Orlando and arguably Philadelphia
have made strides to improve this season. A nominal trade and long-term draft
prospects can't match them."

Another sub-par season wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing for the Pistons, according to reader polderty, who thinks they would benefit by getting another high draft
pick and continuing to stockpile young players as they rebuild.

"I am not surprised by the voting," polderty wrote. "I don't
think the Pistons will be improved in the short term with what they did in the
offseason. They would really benefit by being able to draft with a top 5 pick
especially if there is a good SF available. I think that is the Pistons biggest
weakness (sorry Prince but I'm talking about the future). If they could draft
either an elite scorer or defender at that position the team could be very good
in a couple years. Otherwise they can draft the best talent available and try
and get a good SF through signing or trading."

Reader Anthony W. Gibbs doesn't know what to expect yet.

"Who knows?" Anthony W. Gibbs wrote. "This team at best will be a 5th
seed, and at worse miss the playoffs. Nothing new to report. It all depends on
how the rookie and Slava looks, and if Knight and Stuckey can continue to grow
together."

Finally, reader UDM Titan thinks ESPN.com's panel is full of
baloney. He likes the moves the Pistons have made and expects them to be much
improved.

"I'm not saying they will make the playoffs, but I will like
the moves the Pistons made this season," UDM Titan wrote. "The drafting of of
Andre Drummond, signings of Vyacheslav Kravtsov and Kyle Singler and getting
Corey Maggette in a trade. Plus, the fact that Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe
should be even better this season. Only time
will tell but, I truly believe that this Piston team will be a lot more
competative and more fun to watch. Joe Dumars seems to making some
very wise decisions that will pay off in the future."

What do you think?

Are the Pistons on the right track and will they be much
improved or are they headed toward another lottery pick next summer?